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The Ouray School District is eyeing a slate of capital projects to improve safety and prolong the lifespan of the 54-year-old gymnasium, including new...

June 28, 2023

News

School leaders ready for universal preschool

It’s only been a few weeks since the school year ended and summer break began, but school leaders in Ridgway and Ouray already have their eye on the c...

June 28, 2023

Spotlight on the Arts: Cara Fandel

Cara Fandel spent 32 years viewing the world through her camera lens before she turned to a different kind of art. Though she enjoyed work as a profes...

June 14, 2023

Spotlight on the Arts: Kellie Day

You can spot a piece of Kellie Day’s artwork long before you’re close enough to the canvas to see her signature. Soft pastel shades and vibrant jewel ...

May 31, 2023

New shelter director sees chances to grow

Second Chance Humane Society’s Board of Directors has hired new Executive Director Nick Gilman on a nine-month contract, with board leadership describ...

May 24, 2023

Spotlight on the Arts: Lisa Issenberg

Lisa Issenberg is in the business of taking a significant moment in a person’s life and crafting it into a memory they can hold in their hands. Out of...

May 3, 2023

News

School renovation nears finish line

Renovations at Ridgway Elementary School are on track to wrap up in the next few months, with the last of the major work scheduled to start when stude...

May 3, 2023

Roofing company rehangs shingle in Ridgway

After 25 years of working on roofing, restoration and construction projects in Ouray County and beyond, Dave Manes decided it was time to reopen an of...

April 26, 2023

Spotlight on the Arts: Erin Cawley

No matter where she lands in life, Ouray County Performing Arts Guild Executive Director Erin Cawley seems to find her way to the stage. Cawley has de...

April 26, 2023

New fitness studio wants you to shape up

[tecnavia_gallery slug='new-fitness-studio-wants-you-to-shape-up-gallery-20230503-2306-151356' view='carousel']From aerobics to Zumba, Ouray resident ...

March 30, 2023

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UPDATE: Pilot in fatal crash identified as Canadian man

Investigation underway to determine cause of crash at Silver Jack Reservoir

By Mike

July 13, 2026

Editor's note: This story has been changed to correctly indicate the change in the team overseeing the fire response. The pilot who died when his aircraft went down in Silver Jack Reservoir Sunday was...

News

Firefighting aircraft goes down in Silver Jack

Body of pilot recovered from crash scene by dive team late Sunday

By Plaindealer Staff

July 12, 2026

An aircraft fighting the Gold Mountain Fire went down in Silver Jack Reservoir in southwestern Gunnison County on Sunday night and the body of the pilot has been recovered from the crash. One person w...

Main, News...

Firefighters gain ground on Gold Mountain Fire

Sheriff allows some evacuees to return home; blaze shifts away from populated areas

By By Mike Wiggins, Erin McIntyre and Deb Hurley Brobst mike@ouraynews.com erin@ouraynews.com

July 8, 2026

Residents forced to flee the Gold Mountain Fire north of Ouray nearly two weeks ago returned to charred landscapes but fully intact homes Wednesday, an indication that authorities believe the threat h...

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Despite fire, downsized Fourth celebration marches on

By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com

July 8, 2026

A scaled-back Fourth of July celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States and 150th birthday of Ouray attracted thousands to the city, despite the cancellation of fireworks, water fights and...

News

First fire, then floods? Leaders start planning for next potential emergency

By Deb Hurley Brobst Special to the Plaindealer

July 8, 2026

Even though the Gold Mountain Fire is still burning, Ouray County officials are already thinking about flash flood risks in the burn scar as Colorado moves into monsoon season. “This is a predictable ...

Katie Langford

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines